I Think She's a Little Big to Eat

Writers: April, Devin
Date Posted: 26th December 2008

Characters: Amowyn, Zanen
Description: Amowyn meets Zanen as she thinks of her parents ultimatum and gets a promise of a canine pup for her daighter.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 4

Amowyn had finally decided. She would run again. She couldn't let her
parents marry her off again. She had carefully packed a bag of things
she would need. She glanced over to the others in the kitchen. She
knew they would try to talk her out of going. She had not told anyone
of her parents visit. Her daughter was with on of the older hold
children playing.

Amowyn walked out of the kitchen. She was outside. She needed some
air. She heard the sound of canines and glanced off toward thier
barks. She smiled softly. She really did love it here. Why had her
parents have to come and make her leave. She sagged against the
outside wall and sried. She had not cried in a long time. She pulled
her knees up to her chest and put her head down. She just needed to
get control. It wouldn't due to let them see her cry.

There was a soft whine and a gentle prodding at her shoulder.

She glanced up and was met by a furry face. She tried to smile and
quickly whiped the tears from her face. "Hello." She patted the
canine.

"What did you find there, Silver?" Zanen asked, coming over to
investigate. "Hmmm ... I think she's a little big to eat."

Amowyn glanced up. She patted the canine one more time and stood.
"Sorry, i didn't mean to distract him."

"Her," Zanen pointed out with a smile. "And you're not distracting
her. We were just out for a walk."

Amowyn smiled softly. "Sorry her. My little girl wanted a canine but
we never could get one for her. Her father thought it a waste and
after we left we were never in one place long enough." She sighed. She
hadn't meant to say so much but it was all on her mind and she had yet
to have anyone to talk to about it.

"I could put you on the list for the next time Silver has puppies,"
Zanen offered. An even larger canine than Silver bounded over and
stuck his head under Zanen's hand. He patted it almost absently.

"Really? That would be great. She would love it." She smiled and then
frowned just as quickly. "Well, that is if I can dodge my parents long
enough." She shook her head. Why did they have to swoop in and try and
ruin her peaceful life. If only she coudl find some way to stay here.

"Your parents? Why would you need to dodge them?"

"Oh, my father insists that I remarry. He and my mother have told me
that they will send someone here to take me back home. They are acting
as if my being a widow now gives them the right to start the process
all over again. They said I have a sevensday." She was fustrated with
them. She didn't need them to find her a new husband. She was happy as
it was.

The tracker frowned a little. "Have you told them you don't want to?"
Fang and Silver trotted a few feet away and started playing.

"Yes. They don't seem to want to listen. They don't think I can get on
uness i am married. I just want to be left alone to raise Aavyn as
best I can. They think I should marry and let them take Aavyn and
raise her. I told them no. They are still determined to send someone
to bring me home." She sighed. "I wish they'd just listen to me."

"Keep trying to talk to them," Zanen encouraged. He leaned a little
closer and said quietly, "And remember you always have options."

Amowyn looked up at him. "I will." She looked into his eyes and tilted
her head slightly. "I do?" She asked in a near whisper.

He stepped even closer and leaned down, close to her ear. "Don't
mention this to anyone, but I have friends in the caravans, and if you
want, I can arrange for you to go anywhere on Pern."

She smiled softly. "It's tempting but I think Aavyn would be sad. She
likes it here. Though I will keep it in mind."

He nodded and stepped back.

Amowyn looked at him. "I wish I could just find someone that would
love me and Aavyn so I don't have to move her again." She said it in a
near whisper. She hated seeing her daughter moved again and again. At
that moment a pretty little girl came running out. She was about six
turns old. They girl had her mothers long black hair but her eyes were
a dark green. She smiled on seeing Amowyn. Then she squeeled when she
saw the canines.

"Oh, Mommy they are so pretty." She put her hands around her mother's
waist and watched them as if mesmerized.

"You can pet them if you want. They're friendly," Zanen said. The
canines stopped playing at the arrival of the girl and they both
trotted over.

Aavyn looked up to her mother with a question in her eyes. Amowyn
nodded and smiled. Aavyn walked over and held out her hand. She showed
no fear, merely curiosity and admiration. Amowyn smiled at the girl as
she watched her.

Both animals sniffed her, but Silver showed more interest. She leaned
forward and sniffed Aavyn's face. The canine was so huge she was at
head level with the girl.

Aavyn giggled. She liked canines. She scratched behind Silver's ear
and smiled. She was not intimidated by her size. "Oh, sir, She is so
beautiful. I wish I had a canine like her." She glanced at her Mother
whistfully.

"Maybe next time she has puppies, I'll ask your mother if she'd like
you to have one." Zanen smiled.

Aavyn glanced at him with a radiant smile on her face. "Really?" She asked.

Amowyn smiled. "would you like that sweetie?"

"Oh, yes." She ran over and hugged Zanen. Then she realized what she
had done and backed up with a start. She blushed slightly.

Zanen chuckled. "I don't ever mind a hug from a pretty lady."

Aavyn smiled shyly. "Thank you sir." She liked being called pretty.

Amowyn smiled at him and then looked at her daughter. This was home.
and she was determined not to leave. "Thank you Zanen. For everything.
Talking to you has helped me alot. I just have to find a way to stay.
I'm not letting them take my home from me."

Zanen patted her shoulder. "Good luck."

Last updated on the December 28th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

I Think She's a Little Big to Eat